SPM Bible Knowledge cheat sheet

Luke is the third Synoptic Gospel and the longest book of the New Testament; its author is identified in early tradition as Luke, the beloved physician and companion of Paul (Colossians 4:14; 2 Timothy 4:11).

The prologue (Luke 1:1-4) dedicates the work to Theophilus and states the author's method: investigation of eyewitness testimony, an ordered account, and the purpose that the reader may know the certainty of the things taught.

Unique material in Luke includes the infancy narratives (1:5-2:52), the genealogy traced back to Adam (3:23-38), the sermon at Nazareth (4:16-30), the parable of the good Samaritan (10:25-37), the prodigal son (15:11-32), the rich man and Lazarus (16:19-31), the ten lepers (17:11-19), Zacchaeus (19:1-10), the road to Emmaus (24:13-35), and the ascension (24:50-53).

Major Lukan themes: salvation for the outcast and the poor, women in the ministry of Jesus, prayer, the Holy Spirit, joy and praise, table fellowship, and the universal scope of salvation extending to Gentiles and Samaritans.

Luke's travel narrative (roughly 9:51-19:27) is a long central section framing Jesus' journey to Jerusalem; it contains much of the teaching material unique to this Gospel.

Key Christological titles in Luke: Son of Man, Son of God, Savior (2:11), Christ/Messiah, and Prophet like Moses (24:19); Jesus is presented as the fulfilment of Scripture (4:21; 24:25-27, 44-47).

Luke's infancy material includes the Magnificat (1:46-55), the Benedictus (1:68-79), the Gloria (2:14), and the Nunc Dimittis (2:29-32); these canticles stress reversal, mercy, and light to the Gentiles.

Notable parables unique to Luke include the good Samaritan, the friend at midnight (11:5-8), the rich fool (12:13-21), the barren fig tree (13:6-9), the great banquet (14:15-24), the lost coin and lost sons (15), the unjust steward (16:1-13), the persistent widow (18:1-8), and the Pharisee and tax collector (18:9-14).

Luke alone records the post-resurrection walk to Emmaus and the ascension at Bethany; Acts 1:1-2 links the two volumes by referring back to what Jesus began to do and teach until the day he was taken up.

Acts is the second volume addressed to Theophilus (Acts 1:1) and continues the Gospel of Luke; its central programmatic verse is Acts 1:8, tracing witness from Jerusalem to Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth.

Structure follows the geographical and ethnic expansion: Jerusalem (1-7), Judea and Samaria (8-12), and the mission to the Gentiles reaching Rome (13-28); a recurring summary statement notes the growth of the word of God.

The Day of Pentecost (Acts 2) records the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the list of nations represented, Peter's sermon quoting Joel 2, and about three thousand converts added to the community.

The early Jerusalem community's characteristics: devotion to the apostles' teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer; sharing of possessions; signs and wonders; and favor with the people (2:42-47; 4:32-35).

Key conversion and mission accounts: the Ethiopian eunuch (8:26-40), Saul's Damascus road encounter (9:1-19; retold in 22 and 26), Cornelius the centurion (10-11), Lydia and the Philippian jailer (16), and the Ephesian disciples (19).

The Jerusalem council (Acts 15) addresses the requirement of circumcision and Mosaic law for Gentile believers; the decision, supported by Peter, Paul, Barnabas, James, and the testimony of Scripture, is to impose no greater burden than essential abstentions.

The missionary journeys: first (Cyprus and Asia Minor, 13-14), second (Macedonia and Achaia, 15:36-18:22), third (Ephesus and Asia, 18:23-21:16), and the voyage to Rome as a prisoner (27-28).

Paul's speeches in Acts include the Areopagus address to the Athenians (17:22-31), the Miletus farewell to the Ephesian elders (20:17-38), and the defense before Agrippa and Festus (25-26); these emphasize resurrection, repentance, and fulfillment of Israel's hope.

The Holy Spirit drives the narrative: Spirit-filling at Pentecost, guidance of Philip, the Spirit's direction of Paul's journeys (16:6-10), and the Spirit's role at the Jerusalem council (15:28); the Spirit is the true protagonist of Acts.

Luke is the third Synoptic Gospel and the longest book of the New Testament; its author is identified in early tradition as Luke, the beloved physician and companion of Paul (Colossians 4:14; 2 Timothy 4:11).

The prologue (Luke 1:1-4) dedicates the work to Theophilus and states the author's method: investigation of eyewitness testimony, an ordered account, and the purpose that the reader may know the certainty of the things taught.

Unique material in Luke includes the infancy narratives (1:5-2:52), the genealogy traced back to Adam (3:23-38), the sermon at Nazareth (4:16-30), the parable of the good Samaritan (10:25-37), the prodigal son (15:11-32), the rich man and Lazarus (16:19-31), the ten lepers (17:11-19), Zacchaeus (19:1-10), the road to Emmaus (24:13-35), and the ascension (24:50-53).

Major Lukan themes: salvation for the outcast and the poor, women in the ministry of Jesus, prayer, the Holy Spirit, joy and praise, table fellowship, and the universal scope of salvation extending to Gentiles and Samaritans.

Luke's travel narrative (roughly 9:51-19:27) is a long central section framing Jesus' journey to Jerusalem; it contains much of the teaching material unique to this Gospel.

Key Christological titles in Luke: Son of Man, Son of God, Savior (2:11), Christ/Messiah, and Prophet like Moses (24:19); Jesus is presented as the fulfilment of Scripture (4:21; 24:25-27, 44-47).

Luke's infancy material includes the Magnificat (1:46-55), the Benedictus (1:68-79), the Gloria (2:14), and the Nunc Dimittis (2:29-32); these canticles stress reversal, mercy, and light to the Gentiles.

Notable parables unique to Luke include the good Samaritan, the friend at midnight (11:5-8), the rich fool (12:13-21), the barren fig tree (13:6-9), the great banquet (14:15-24), the lost coin and lost sons (15), the unjust steward (16:1-13), the persistent widow (18:1-8), and the Pharisee and tax collector (18:9-14).

Luke alone records the post-resurrection walk to Emmaus and the ascension at Bethany; Acts 1:1-2 links the two volumes by referring back to what Jesus began to do and teach until the day he was taken up.

Acts is the second volume addressed to Theophilus (Acts 1:1) and continues the Gospel of Luke; its central programmatic verse is Acts 1:8, tracing witness from Jerusalem to Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth.

Structure follows the geographical and ethnic expansion: Jerusalem (1-7), Judea and Samaria (8-12), and the mission to the Gentiles reaching Rome (13-28); a recurring summary statement notes the growth of the word of God.

The Day of Pentecost (Acts 2) records the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the list of nations represented, Peter's sermon quoting Joel 2, and about three thousand converts added to the community.

The early Jerusalem community's characteristics: devotion to the apostles' teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer; sharing of possessions; signs and wonders; and favor with the people (2:42-47; 4:32-35).

Key conversion and mission accounts: the Ethiopian eunuch (8:26-40), Saul's Damascus road encounter (9:1-19; retold in 22 and 26), Cornelius the centurion (10-11), Lydia and the Philippian jailer (16), and the Ephesian disciples (19).

The Jerusalem council (Acts 15) addresses the requirement of circumcision and Mosaic law for Gentile believers; the decision, supported by Peter, Paul, Barnabas, James, and the testimony of Scripture, is to impose no greater burden than essential abstentions.

The missionary journeys: first (Cyprus and Asia Minor, 13-14), second (Macedonia and Achaia, 15:36-18:22), third (Ephesus and Asia, 18:23-21:16), and the voyage to Rome as a prisoner (27-28).

Paul's speeches in Acts include the Areopagus address to the Athenians (17:22-31), the Miletus farewell to the Ephesian elders (20:17-38), and the defense before Agrippa and Festus (25-26); these emphasize resurrection, repentance, and fulfillment of Israel's hope.

The Holy Spirit drives the narrative: Spirit-filling at Pentecost, guidance of Philip, the Spirit's direction of Paul's journeys (16:6-10), and the Spirit's role at the Jerusalem council (15:28); the Spirit is the true protagonist of Acts.